In a recent analysis, Josh Pate, a prominent college football analyst, shared his thoughts on the performance of Kalen DeBoer in his first year as head coach at Washington, as well as his perspective on Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s handling of the 2024 season. While Pate gave DeBoer a relatively solid grade for his first-year efforts, he also had high praise for Saban, highlighting how the seasoned coach navigated challenges and maintained Alabama’s competitive edge.
Kalen DeBoer’s inaugural season at Washington was a mix of highs and lows, with the team showing moments of brilliance but also grappling with inconsistency. The Huskies, under DeBoer’s leadership, had a solid start, showing flashes of potential, but they also struggled against some of the stronger teams in their conference. Despite this, Pate gave DeBoer a respectable grade, recognizing the coach’s ability to adjust to the new environment and his focus on building a sustainable program. DeBoer’s offensive prowess, which was evident from his time as an offensive coordinator, began to take shape at Washington, and the Huskies showed improvements throughout the season.
However, Pate was quick to note that DeBoer’s success wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the broader landscape of college football, particularly the challenges facing first-year head coaches. Transitioning from an assistant to the top job often presents a steep learning curve, and DeBoer’s ability to manage the team, adjust to the rigors of head coaching, and implement his vision at Washington was commendable. Though the season wasn’t without its bumps, Pate acknowledged that DeBoer was setting a foundation for success in future seasons.
On the other hand, Josh Pate spent a significant portion of his commentary focusing on the performance of Nick Saban, whose Alabama team had a mixed bag of results in 2024. Pate was quick to note that Saban, with his years of experience, had handled the season with poise, demonstrating his ability to lead a team through adversity. The 2024 Alabama team, though not as dominant as some of the programs from previous years, showed resilience and discipline, qualities that have been the hallmark of Saban’s tenure at Alabama.
Alabama faced its share of challenges, including a tough schedule and some key injuries, but Saban’s handling of these difficulties helped the team remain competitive. According to Pate, Saban’s ability to make in-game adjustments, manage his roster effectively, and maintain a high level of discipline in the program allowed Alabama to stay in the national conversation despite not
